I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 699

As the two of them ascended the spiral staircase, the gossip downstairs didn't fade; it only grew clearer.

"I really thought Mr. Thorne and Sienna were a thing. There were new trending articles about their epic romance every single month."

"Looking at it now, it was probably all a PR stunt, right? If he was truly deeply in love with Sienna, how could he have two kids with Ms. Lynd?"

"Sienna must have been paying for that hype herself. It was probably entirely one-sided. Mr. Thorne never even looked at her."

"And look at how respectful Mr. Thorne is toward our family. It's obvious he values Ms. Lynd and is extending that goodwill to the Kendalls. Otherwise, someone of his status wouldn't need to try this hard."

"The Lynd family was true high society back in the day. Old money is still old money. Ms. Lynd's natural elegance is lightyears ahead of an artificially pampered woman like Sienna."

Zoe listened with bland indifference, barely resisting the urge to remind Hayden that they were gossiping about his precious lover.

Hayden kept a perfectly neutral expression, his absolute focus resting entirely on Zoe and his son.

Zoe walked straight into the nursery and gently placed little Ian down into the plush crib. She meticulously tucked the soft blanket around him, terrified of breaking the little guy's slumber.

Ian's tiny brow smoothed out, his breathing deep and steady as he slept on in total peace.

Leaning over the crib, Zoe gazed down at her son's sweet face. The intense anger and frustration she had been carrying slowly melted away, replaced by a deep, radiant warmth.

A second later, a solid, scorching presence pressed up against her back, throwing a shadow directly over her.

Hayden had moved silently behind her, his large, powerful frame completely caging her slender body in. His body heat wrapped around her, carrying his signature crisp cedar scent that engulfed her senses completely.

Zoe instinctively tried to push him away, but he smoothly caught her wrist.

Hayden held her wrist—gentle, but firm enough that she couldn't break free. "Where are you going?"

Zoe glared at him in pure exasperation.

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